High-speed lifting jack



HIGH SPEED LIFTING JACK Filed Mw 15, 1925 3 She8tS-She9t1 Fig.1.

39 v Inventor:

. I'rankLGormZey,

Jan. 26 1926. 1,570,962

' F. L. GORMLEY HIGH SPEED LIFTING JACK Filed May 15, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 2.

Patented Jan. 26, 1926.

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK L. GORMLEY, OF BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE BUDA COM- PANY, 0F HARVEY, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

HIGH-SPEED LIFTING JACK.

Application filed May 15, 1925. Serial No. 30,420.

To (all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, FRANK L. GORMLEY, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Brookline, in the county of Norfolk, in the State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Tmprovements in High-Speed Lifting Jacks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to high speed self lowering lifting acks and has for its object the production of a simple but effective and strong and durable ack of this character in which is provided a novel means for controlling the lowering of the load and for preventing back lash of the load during the ifting operation.

These objects are attained by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawiii-gs.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, one preferred form thereof is illustrated inv the drawings, this form having been found to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged organized, and the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and or-- ganization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described except as re quired the scope of the appended claims.

Of the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a vertical section of a lifting jack embodying the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 re resents a lire 2. 2. on Fig. 1.

Fi tu e 3 re resents a horizontal plan on l ne 2. on Fig. 1 of a portion of the liftin" iaclr with the cover plate removed.

Fi' r e 4 r resents a vertical section on lin 4. 4, on Fig. 2.

Fic re r e ents a vertical section on li 5, 5, Fig. 2. and

Figure 6 represents a vertical section on line 6., 6. on Fig. 4.

Similar characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

horizontal plan on In the drawings, 1 0 is the base of a lifting jack having an upwardly extending projection 11, to which is threaded the lower end of a standard. 12, in the upper end of which is a cylindrical bearing '13 for the vertically movable ram This ram 14 has an enlarged head 15 adapted to rest upon the upper end of the standard 12 when in its lowest position.

The lower end of the ram 14 has mounted therein a nut 16 threaded to the main lifting screw 17, the lower end of which has keyed thereto a bevel gear 18 meshing withv a bevel gear 19 formed upon the actuating shaft 20.

The shaft 20 has mounted on its outer end a device 21 for imparting rotary movement to the shaft 20 in one direction only, and that is, during the lifting operation.

This actuating device 21 niay be of any well known construction and therefore is not shown or described in detail.

The standard 12 has a lateral extension 22, one vertical wall of which has a bearing 23 therein, in which said actuating shaft 20 is mounted.

In the chamber formed by this lateral extension 22 is mounted a worm gear 24 keyed to the actuating shaft 20 and meshing with a worm 25 formed upon the horizontal shaft 26.

The pitch of the thread of said worm 25 is such as to permit it to be rotated by said worm gear 24 in whichever direction the gear 24 may be rotated.

Surrounding the hub of the gear 18 is a bearing plate 27 having a groove in its under face into which extend the antifrictional members28 resting upon another bearing plate 29 supported and centrally disposed upon the projection 11 of the base 10.

One end of the worm shaft 26 is mounted in a bearing in the wall of the extension 22,

while the opposite end is mounted in a bearing in a removable disk 30, threaded to the opposite wall of said extension.

Thrust bearings 31 and 32 are provided at the opposite ends of the worm shaft 26-.-

Keyed to the shaft 26- is an annular member 33 having loosely mounted thereon a worm gear 34 provided with an annular flange 35 having secured therein a ratchet 36.

The member 33 has a flange 37 at one end thereof on which is pivotally mounted a plurality of p'awls 38, normally forced outwardly by springs 39 into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 36.

The worm gear 34 coacts with a vertical Worm 39 formed; upon the Shaft 40,

This shaft 10 has a bearing ll in the lower wall of the extension 22 and another bearing 12 in the partition or wall 43 near the upper end of said extension.

Between the under face of the extension -43 and the shoulder 1 on the worm 39 is a thrust bearing 45.

The upper end of the shaft etO has keyed thereto a disk l6 having pivotally mounted thereon at 47 a plurality of bearing plates 48, normally forced outwardly by springs d9, against the brake arms 50 surrounding the disk l6 and bearing plates 48, said brake arms 50 being pivoted at one end at 51 to the wall 43.

The opposite ends of the brake arms 50 are provided with parallel, separated extensions 52, between which is positioned a cam member 53 mounted upon a pin 54 extending upwardly through the cover plate 55 and having an actuating finger 56 secured to its upper end.

The partition or wall 43 has extending upwardly therefrom lugs 57 between which and the extensions 52 are disposed helical springs 58 which normally retain the brake arms 50 in contact with the bearing plates i8 pivotally mounted upon the disk 46.

When the parts are in the position indicated in the drawings there will be sufficient friction between the brake arms 50 and the bearing plates -18 to retain the ram in elevated position and prevent its lowering under the load. During a lifting or elevating operation, the worm 39 and worm wheel 3% are held by the brake against movement while the worm 25 is driven by the worm wheel 24 and the pawls 38 run idly over the teeth of the atchet 36 in a clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 6. Between successive upward movements of the ram, lowering movement thereof is prevented by engagement of the pawls 38 with the teeth of the stationary ratchet 36. The speed multiplying ratio between the worm gear 24: and the worm 25 causes the pawls to become immediately engaged with the ratchet teeth thereby through the worm 25, shaft 20, and connecting gears, locking the ram against lowering before any perceptible retrograde movement can occur. Back lash of the ram which is very undesirable and extremely dangerous, particularly in heavy duty jacks is therefore effectually prevented. By this construction, excessive strain on the pawls and ratchet teeth is obviated; both the pawls and teeth are permitted to be made of substantial dimensions affording adequate strength, and a plurality of pawls are enabled to be simultaneously engaged with the ratchet teeth, and even in the event of breakage or accident the ram will be prevented from abrupt lowering by the retarding action of the worm 25 alone.

hen it is desired to lower the load the operator manipulates the linger 56 causing the cam 53 to separate the brake arms 50, thereby reducing the frictional contact between these arms and the bearing plates 518.

It is obvious that by the movement of the finger 56 about the axis of the pin 54 any degree of friction between the arms 50 and plates 48 may be secured and the speed of lowering the ram controlled.

The extension 22 is formed integral with the standard 12 and the partition or wall 43 is also formed integral therewith, this wall being somewhat depressed and forming a chamber 59 in which the speed controlling devices 46, 48, 50, and 53, are positioned, this chamber being closed by means of the cover plate 55.

The bearing is provided with a bushing 60 and the shaft 20 may be installed in the bearing from the inner end thereof before the bushing 60 is inserted into the outer end thereof, the said shaft being inserted into the chamber within the extension 22 through the opening in the bottom of the standard 12 before said standard has been threaded to the base 10.

The bushing is then positioned within the bearin 23 and around the shaft 20 and then the actuating device 21 is installed on the outer end of said shaft.

It will be noted that in the present construction all of the gears and worms are revoluble in bearings formed in a single unitary shell, casing or standard, thereby dispensing with the cover plates generally used in lifting jacks of this character.

Heretofore, when some of the parts were mounted upon the cover plate secured to the standard or casing by means of screws, the latter would sometimes become loose and allow the cover plate to shift, thus moving out of alignment the gears for lifting the load. This movement of the gears out of alignment would cause the binding of the teeth and interfere with the proper working of the jack.

By forming all the bearings for these working parts in a single easing, this objection is wholly overcome.

The worm gear 21 and the worm 25 ro tate both when the ram is being raised and also when it is being loweredv hen the load is being lifted the worm 39 and worm gear 3e are prevented from being rotated by means of the braking mechanism 46, 48 and 50.

This makes a very simple form of selflowering speed controlled lifting jack, all of the weight of which is in the lower end thereof. which lower end is prm'ided with a broad base, giving the jack a very firm support when in use.

By this construction it makes it possible to form all of the bearings for the working parts in single inte ral shell or casin ill) Li l) means for rotating thereby preventing any of the working parts from getting out of alignment which is obviously a great advantage.

It is believed that the operation and many advantages of the invention will be under stood without further description.

iaving thus described my invention, 1 claim-- l. in a self-lowering lifting jao I; a standard; a rain reciprocable in said standard; a nut in said ram; a rotatable screw in said nut; a gear on the lower end of said screw; a driving gear meshing therewith; a worm gear secured to the driving gear shaft; a worm driven thereby; means for rotating said driving gear and worm gear; an annular member secured to said worm shaft; pawls carried thereby; a worm pinion surrounding said annular member and carrying aratchet coacting with said pawls; a vertieal shaft having aworm thread meshing with said pinion; and means at the upper end of said vertical shaft for controlling its rotation.

In a self-lowering lifting jack; a standard: a ram reciprocable in said standard; a nut in said ram; a rotatable screw in said nut; a gear on the lower end of said screw; a driving gear meshing therewith; a worm ir secured to the driving gear shaft; a horizontally disposed worm driven thereby; means for rotating said driving gear and worm gear; a vertically disposed worm; means interposed between said worms for rotating the vertical worm in one direction only; a disk secured to the upper end of said vertical shaft; bral-ce members pivoted to said disk; two brake arms surrounding said disk and with which said members coact s irings for normally retaining said arms llllll llieiilbel'S in engagement; and a cam member adapted to be moved to separate said arms.

23. in a self-lowering lifting jack; a standard; a rain reciprocable in said standard; a nut in said rain; a rotatable screw in said nut; a gear on the lower e id of said screw; a driving ear meshing therewith; a worm secured to the driving gear shaft; a hmrizontally disposed worm driven thereby; means for rotating said driving gear and worm gear; a vertically disposed worm; means interposed between said worms for rotating the vertical worm in one direction only; and means at the upper end of the vertical worm i controlling its rotation.

l. In a SBl'fdOW'S: 'ng lifting jack; a standard: a rain reciprccable in said standard; a nut in said rain; a rotatable screw in said nut; a gear on the lower end of said screw; a driving gear meshing therewith; a

tired to the driving gear shaft; a worm drii en thereby; manually actuated said driving gear and worm gear in one direction only; an annular member secured to said worm shaft pawls carried thereby; a worm pinion surrounding said annular member and carrying a ratchet coacting with said pawls; a vertical shaft having a worm thread meshing with said pinion; a disk secured to the upper end of said vertical shaft; brake members pivoted to said disk; two brake arms surrounding said disk and with which said members coact; springs for normally retaining said arms and members in engagement; and a cam member adapted to be moved to separate said a ms.

5. In a self-lowering lifting jack; a standard; a ram reciprocable in said standard; a nut in said ram; a rotatable screw in said nut; a gear on the lower end of said screw; a driving gear meshing therewith; a worm gear secured to the driving gear shaft; a worm beneath said worm gear and driven thereby; means for rotating said driving gear and worm gear in one direction to raise the am; an annular member secured to said worm shaft; pawls carried thereby; a worm pinion surrounding said annular member and carrying a ratchetthe teeth of which are adapted to engage with said pawls during the lowering of the load; a vertical shaft having a worm thread meshing with said pinion; and means at me upper end of said. vertical shaft for controlling its rotation.

6. In a self-lowering lifting jack; a stand' ard; a ram reciprocable in said standard; a nut in said rain; a rotatable screw in said nut; a gear on the lower end of said screw; a driving gear meshing therewith; a worm gear secured to the driving gear shaft; 21 horizontally disposed worm rotated thereby; means for rotating said driving gear and worm gear; a vertically disposed worm; means interposed between said worms for rotating the vertical worm in one direction only by the horizontal worm when rotated during the lowering of the load; a dish secared to the upper end of said vertical shaft: brake members pivoted to said disk; two brake arms surrounding said disk and with which said members coact; springs for normally retaining said arms and members in engagement; and a cam member adapted to be moved to separate said arms.

7. In a self-lowering lifting jack; a standard; a ram reciprocable in said standard; means for raising the ram including a driving shaft; a worm gear secured to the driving shaft; a horizontally disposed worm driven by said worm gear during its rotation in either direction; a vertically disposed worm; means interposed between said worms for rotating the vertical worm in one direction only by the rotation of the horizontal worm during the lowering of the load; and means at the upper end of the vertical worm for controlling its rotation,

8. ln a self-lowering lifting jack; a standard; a ram reciprocable in said standard; means for raising the ram including a driving shaft; a worm gear secured to the driving shaft; a worm driven by the worm gear during its rotation in either direction; a member secured to said worm shaft; pawls carried thereby; a worm pinion surrounding said inen'iber and carrying a ratchet coacting with said pawls; a vertical shaft having a worm thread meshing with said pinion; a disk secured to the upper end of said vertical shaft; brake members pivoted to said disk; two brake arms surrounding said disk nd with which said members coact; springs for normally retaining said arms and members in engagen'ient; and a cam member adapted to be moved to separate said arms.

9. In a self-lowering lifting jack; a stand ard; a ram reciprocable in said standard; means for raising the ram including a driving shaft; a worm gear secured to the driving shaft; a worm driven by said worm gear during its rotation in either direction; a member secured to said worm shaft; pawls carried thereby; a worm pinion surrounding said member and carrying a ratchet in engagement with said pawls during the lowering of the load; a vertical shaft having a worm thread meshing with said pinion and rotated thereby in one direction only; a disk secured to the upper end of said vertical shaft; brake members pivoted to said disk; two brake arms surrounding said disk and with which said members coact; springs for normally retaining said arms and members in engagement; and a cam member adapted to be moved to separate said arms.

10. In a self-lowering lifting jack; a standard including a base removably mounted in the lower end of said standard; a vertically movable ram in said standard; rotatable in ms within said standard and chamber for raising the ram a driving shaft; a worm gear secured to said driving shaft; a horizontally disposed worm in mesh with said worm gear; a vertically disposed worm; means actuated by said horizontal worm when rotated by the lowering of the load for imparti." rotary movement to the ver tical worm: and means at the upper end of the vertical worm for controlling its speed during the lowering of the load.

ll. in a self-lowering lifting jack; a stand ard incliniling a chamber in a lateral extension formed integral therewith; a base to which the lower end of said standard is threaded; a vertically movable ram in said standard; rotatable means within said standard and chamber for raising the ram and including a horizontal worm having a bearing for one end in one wall of said or;- tension; a disk threaded to said extension and having a bearing for the opposite end of said worm; means at the upper end of the vertical worm for controliing its speed during the lowering of the load; and means inte posed between two worms for rotating the vertical worm only during the lowering.

12. In a self-lowering lifting jack; 3 standard having a chamber at one side of its lower end; a ram reciprocable in said standard; a nut in said ram; a rotatable screw in said nut; a gear on the lower end of said screw; a driving gear meshing therewith; a worm gear secured to the driving ear shaft and positioned within said chamber; a worm within said chamber and driven by said worm gear; means for rotating said driving gear and worm gear; an annular member secured to said worm shaft; pawls carried thereby; a worm pinion surrounding said annular member and carrying a ratchet coacting with said pawls; a vertical shaft having a worm thread meshing with said pinion; a disk secured to the upper end of said vertical shaft; brake members pivoted to said disk; two brake arms surrounding said disk and with which said members coact; springs for normally retaining said arms and members in engagement; and a cam member adapted to be moved to separate said arms.

13. In a self-lowering lifting jack including a vertically movable ram; a standard having a chamber in a lateral extension formed integral therewith; a base to which the lower end of said standard is threaded; rotatable means within said standard and chamber for raising the ram and including a driving shaft; a worm gear secured to said driving shaft; a worm meshing with said gear; a vertical shaft adapted to be rotated by said worm only during the lowering of the ram under the load; and braking mechanism at the upper end of said vertical shaft for controlling the speed of lowering.

l t. In a self-lowering lifting ack including a vertically movable ram; a standard having a chamber in a lateral extension formed integral therewith; a base to which the lower end of said standard is threaded: rotatable means within said standard and chamber for raising the ram and including a driving shaft; aworm gear secured tri said driving shaft; a worm meshing with said gear; a vertical shaft adapted to be rotated by said worm only during the lowering of the ram under the load said means being rotatable in bearings formed in the walls of said stai'idard and extension thereof; and braking mechanism at the upper end of said vertical shaft for controlling the speed of lowering.

15. in a self-lowering lifting jack including a vertically movable ram; a standard having a chamber in a lateral extension formed integral therewith; a base to which the lower end of said standard is threaded; rotatable means within said standard and chamber for raising the ram and including a driving shaft; a worm gear secured to said driving shaft; a worm meshing with said Q'Qtll; a vertical shaft adapted to be rotated by said worm only during the lowering of the ram under the load; and breking mechanism at the upper end of said vertical shaft for controlling the speed of lowering, said mechanism being confined within a reccss at the top of said extension.

16. ln a self-lowering lifting jaclr, a

standard; a vertically movable ram therein; means within said standard for raising said ram including a driving shaft; a driving member thereon; a horizontal shaft adapted to rotate with said driving member, a vertical worm; a member rotatable with said horizontal shaft carrying a plurality of pawls; a worm gear loosely mounted upon said horizontal shaft member meshing with and adapted to rotate said worm; said gear being provided with a ratchet coacting with said pawls; and means at the upper end of said vertical worm for contmlling the speed of its rotation.

. 17. In a self-lowering lifting jack a standard; a vertically movable rain therein; means within said standard for raising said ruin including a driving shaft; a driving member thereon; a horizontal shaft adapted to rotate with said driving shaft; a vertical worm; a member rotatable with said horizontal shaft carrying a plurality of pawls; a worm gear loosely mounted upon said horizontal shaft member meshing with and adapted to drive said worm said gear being provided with an annular flange; a ratchet secured within said flange and coacting with said pawls; and means at the upper end of said worm for controlling the speed of its rotation.

18. ln a self-lov-rering lifting jack including a vertically movable ram; a standard; a base for said standard; rotatable means within said staiulard for raising the ram and including a driving shaft; a drivi member thereon: a vertical shaft adapted to be rotated only during the Lowering of the ram under the load; and braking mechanism including in part a rotatable disk secured to the upper end of said vertical shaft and adapted to be frictionally engaged to control the speed of loweri 19. In a self-lowering lif tug jack includinn; a vertically movable ram; a standard; a base for the lower end of said standard; rotatable means within said standard for raising the ram and including a driving shaft; a driving member thereon; a vertical shaft adapted to be rotated only during the lowering of the ram under the load; said shafts being rotatable in bearings formed in the walls of said standard; and braking mechanism including in part a rotatable disk cured to the upper end of said vertical shaft and adapted to be frictionally engaged to control the speed of lowering.

20. In a self-lowering lifting jack including a vertically movable ram; a standard; a base for the lower end of said standard having a lateral extension with a chamber therein communicating with the interior of said standard; rotatable means within said standard and chamber for raising the ram and including a driving shaft; a driving member thereon; a vertical shaft adapted to be rotated only during the lowering of the ram under the load; braking mechanism including in part a rotatable disk secured tothe upper end of said vertical shaft and adapted to be frictionally engaged to control the speed of lowering, said mechanism being confined within a recess at the top of said extension and also including two brake arms coacting with said dish; a plate covering said recess; and a manually actuated cam member on said plate for separating said arms. 7

21. In a self-lowering lifting jack; a standard; a vertically movable ram therein: means within said standard for raising said ram including a driving shaft; a driving member thereon; a horizontal shaft retatable with said driving member; a vertical worm; member rotatable with said horizontal shaft carrying a plurality of pawls: a worm gear loosely mounted upon said horizontal shaft member meshing with and adapted to drive said worm, said gear being provided with a ratchet coacting with said pawls; means at the upper end of said worm for controlling the speed of its rotation; and a manually actuated cam member for regulating said controlling means.

22. In a self-lowering lifting jack; a standard; a vertically movable ram therein; means within said standard for raising said ram including a driving shaft; a driving member thereon; a horizontal shaft rotatable with said driving member; a vertical worm: e member rotatable with said hori zontal shaft carrying a plurality of pawls; a worm gear loosely mounted upon said horizontal shaft member meshing with and adapted to drive said worm. said gear being provided with an annular flange; a ratchet secured within said flange and coacting with said pawls; means at th upper end of said worm for controlling the speed of its rotation, said means including two pivoted brake arms; a cam between said arms adapted to be moved to separate said arms; and a lever for actuating said cam.

23. In a self-lowering lifting jack a standard; a. ram movable relatively thereto; actuating means for raising the ram including a. driving shaft rotatable in both directions; a worm gear keyed to said shaft; :1

worm adapted to be rotated by the rotation of said gear in either direction; a second worm vertically disposed and adapted to be rotated by the first mentioned worm in one direction only during the lowering of the ram under the load; adisk secured to and rotatable With said second worm; brake members carried thereby; and brake arms surrounding said disk and with which said brake members coact to control the speed of rotation of said disk.

24. In a selflowering lifting jack, a standard; a ram movable relatively thereto; actuating means for raising the ram including a driving shaft rotatable in both directions; a worm gear keyed to said shaft; a worm adapted to be rotated by the rotation of said gear in either direction; a second worm vertically disposed and adapted to be rotated by the first mentioned worm in one direction only during the lowering of the ram under the load; a. disk secured to and rotatable with said second Worm; brake members pivoted thereto; pivoted brake arms surrounding said disk and with which said members are in frictional contact; and

means manually actuated for separating said arms.

25. A lifting jack comprising a lifting ram, a rotatable shaft for actuating said ram, a brake, and means interposed between said brake and said shaft including a Worm connected to the brake, a worm connected to the shaft, and a one-Way clutch forming an operative connection between said worms, for preventing back lash of the ram during the lifting operation and controlling the downward movement of the ram during the lowering operation.

26. A lifting jack comprising a lifting ram, a rotatable shaft for actuating the ram, a manually controlled brake, a plurality of worms, one being positively connected to and rotatable in either direction by said shaft, and the other being connected with and controlled in its rotation by said arake. and a one-way driving connection interposed between said worms.

Signed by me at Harvey 111., this 12th day of May, 1925.

FRANK L. GORMLE Y. 

